We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As I write this post, the Indian hockey team has just been through a roller coaster ride. After a resounding victory over arch rivals Pakistan, they have been trampled over by the belligerent Australians. Today, with renewed hope and fingers crossed the nation waits to see the team regain their golden touch when they play Spain. I mention this to bring to focus not just the roller coaster ride that makes life so interesting, but to also draw attention to the fact that many a time we are mute witness to events but the events impact our daily lives. Your mood swings and your responses are often dependent on extraneous happenings be it the hockey match, an earthquake in distant Chile or a tragic road accident much closer home where some unknown local resident is killed. You exude in happiness when the cricket team wins a close match and cringe when you see the mudslinging by sports officials when a team loses.
Exams are a classic example of disappointments and hope. The failures would have to put the disappointment behind them and work harder again. The toppers on the other hand believe in their ability to deliver despite the stiff competition and tough paper. Ironic as it may seem, occasionally even the class topper is disappointed that he / she hasn’t scored as much as was expected, while some of those who scraped through are elated because they never lost hope in their last minute studies. This does not mean that the topper will not put the same effort next time round nor does this suggest that the last minute studies is an ideal solution to pass exam; it merely illustrates the point of view that no disappointment is permanent and that hope can sometimes coax you to scamper across the finish line even when you are tempted to give up.
The realization that every disappointment is limited and that we can always overcome it over time, is a great relief for we know that the hurt, the fear, the pain and grief that accompanies disappointment will go away sometime. What is more important though is the awareness that hope is eternal. Hope erases doubts, clears our vision and makes us far sighted. When there is hope there is life, for hope is the oxygen that fuels the spirit. Hope infuses courage, yearning and self belief; it propels the wheels of expectations and fires up the engine of enthusiasm and provides us the momentum to achieve our goals and attain success.
Remember: “I can’t” isn’t a reason to give up, it’s a reason to try harder”
Try These:
- Have you ever tried to write with the hand that you don’t write with? Now is a good time to try it for a week. Keep the copies of the work you did from day one and at least write one foolscap page everyday. At the end of one week check your performance over the week. Surprised at the results…maybe you believe that you can write with both hands!
- Go on and try something you have never done before. It could be bungee jumping or it could be learning a new musical instrument or trying to draw cartoon characters. If nothing else go try out a new hair style or footwear or a different variety / style of clothes. Move out of your comfort zone, fail a couple of times and then don’t give up and you will realize that the baby steps and the faltering were never in vain.
This post is courtesy www.actspot.com
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